KAWASAKI ER 650 CAF

649cc Petrol Class 2

#2491 of 5426 overall #287 of 592 KAWASAKIs #1561 of 2787 other bikes

85.0%

first-time pass rate

8.3%

failed outright

12,133

median miles at test

1,933

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2013–2025

The ER 650 CAF's first-time pass rate has fallen 12.0 points since 2013, 92.4% to 80.4%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the ER 650 CAF's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage ER 650 CAF passes first time 91.4% of the time; by 40k that's 82.8%.

First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.

What fails on a ER 650 CAF

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	68	22.7	0.6×
lamps and reflectors	67	22.3	1.5×
structure and attachments	38	12.7	2.5×
tyres and wheels	28	9.3	0.7×
lighting and signalling	27	9	0.3×
tyres	23	7.7	1.5×
steering and suspension	18	6	0.3×
suspension	14	4.7	0.8×
drive system	10	3.3	0.5×
Identification of the vehicle	7	2.3	1.3×

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects. "vs all bikes" is how often this model's tests record a defect in the group, as a multiple of the all-bike rate.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the ER 650 CAF beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).

KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests HONDA VFR800 FI 86.7% pass · 89.4k tests

Rivals share this bike's type and sit within ±30% of its engine capacity, ≥ 5,000 tests. Card colour = better/worse first-time pass rate than the ER 650 CAF.

Pass rate by registration year

how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date

Best year to buy used: 2010 (86.2% pass). Weakest: 2012 (81.1%).

First-time pass rate by the year each bike was first registered (cohorts with ≥ 50 tests). Older cohorts are survivors: the worst examples have already left the road, which tends to lift the earliest years.

KAWASAKI ER 650 CAF FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the KAWASAKI ER 650 CAF reliable?

The KAWASAKI ER 650 CAF is about average for its class: 85.0% of its 1,933 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2491 of 5426 models.

What does a ER 650 CAF fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 23% of all defects recorded against failed ER 650 CAF tests.

What is the best year of ER 650 CAF to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2010-registered examples do best (86.2%) and 2012 worst (81.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ER 650 CAF last?

The median ER 650 CAF shows 12,133 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 82.8% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.